Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

HMPPS Update

07 September 2023 · 15 other contributors

Opened by Alex Chalk Con Constituency

Migrants & BordersJustice & Courts

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alex Chalk raised concerns about hmpps update in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • HMPPS announced a statement regarding the escape of Daniel Abed Khalife from HMP Wandsworth
  • Khalife was remanded in custody since January and charged with offences from 2021
  • Local contingency plans were activated and the prison went into lockdown following the escape

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Alex Chalk

With the permission of Madam Deputy Speaker, Alex Chalk announced a statement on the escape of Daniel Abed Khalife from HMP Wandsworth. The prisoner was remanded in custody since January and had been charged with offences committed in 2021 while serving in the armed forces. After escaping by clinging to a food delivery van around 7:30 am, local contingency plans were activated and the prison went into lockdown as an investigation began. Chalk stated that HMPPS is cooperating fully with police efforts to recapture Khalife who does not pose a threat to public safety. He has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the escape and further protocols will be reviewed to prevent future occurrences. The number of escapes from prisons has declined substantially in recent years due to £100 million investment since 2019 on enhanced gate security and intelligence operations.

Other contributors (15)
  • An MP

    Question

    The MP questioned how HMPPS will ensure similar incidents do not occur again, given the current state of security and training levels at Wandsworth prison.

    Minister reply

    Minister Chalk responded by affirming that an urgent review into staff numbers and protocols is underway to understand any breaches in standard operating procedures. He assured a thorough investigation with recommendations for immediate improvements.

  • Another MP

    Question

    This MP expressed concern over the lack of transparency regarding the total number of prisoners held at HMP Wandsworth and requested a comprehensive review to ensure security measures are adequate.

    Minister reply

    Chalk confirmed that an urgent review is being conducted into the placement and categorisation of all prisoners in HMP Wandsworth, with specific focus on suspected terror offenders. This will include assessments of current security measures.

  • Shabana Mahmood Lab Birmingham Ladywood

    Question

    Asked the Justice Secretary about the number of staff on duty at Wandsworth prison, whether all relevant searches were conducted, and if protocols were breached. Also questioned the categorisation of Khalife in a category B jail despite other suspected terrorists being held elsewhere.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledged that inquiries into staffing, training quality, and protocol adherence are underway. Confirmed additional expertise is available at Wandsworth prison. The Justice Secretary clarified that Khalife was never held in Belmarsh but was moved from another facility. He emphasised the need to proceed with evidence-based investigations.

  • Bob Neill Con Bromley and Chislehurst

    Question

    Complimented the Justice Secretary's thorough approach and suggested considering previous work by HM Chief Inspectors of Prisons. Raised concerns about staffing levels at Wandsworth and training adequacy across prisons.

    Minister reply

    Agreed that issues such as staffing levels and training adequacy need to be considered in the investigation. Confirmed that all security positions were staffed, but emphasised the urgency to determine whether protocols were followed.

  • Richard Thomson

    Question

    Inquires about why Khalife was held under category B conditions despite posing a risk and raises concerns over prison inspections, staffing shortages, and funding cuts to the Prison Service since 2010.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges that nothing has occurred to him regarding lines of inquiry not already considered. Emphasises that all inquiries will be thorough and includes meeting with the Prison Officers Association. Points out that section 58 of the Terrorism Act is an either-way offence, which influences categorisation.

  • Mark Fletcher

    Question

    Asks whether there was any assistance given to the prisoner for his escape.

    Minister reply

    All lines of inquiry are being considered, including the possibility that the prisoner had outside help.

  • Rosena Allin-Khan Lab Tooting

    Question

    Raises concerns about low staffing levels at Wandsworth prison and their impact on officer morale and retention. Asks for specific details of meetings with the prison leadership since raising alarm.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the concerns, highlights an increase in staff numbers since June and a decrease in resignation rates. Indicates that security posts were manned during the escape incident but further investigation is needed.

  • Scott Benton

    Question

    Asks about steps to increase security across prisons as part of the Government’s £4 billion investment.

    Minister reply

    Confirms significant investments in prison infrastructure, including enhanced gate security and X-ray scanners, which have increased seizures and reduced violence. Notes that Wandsworth benefits from these improvements.

  • Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

    Question

    Asks if Khalife was allowed to work in the kitchens despite being a high-risk inmate.

    Minister reply

    Confirms that this is under investigation and expects answers by the end of the week.

  • Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park

    Question

    Inquires about reassurances for constituents regarding Khalife's potential links to Kingston.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges concerns and provides assurance based on police statements that Khalife is considered low risk.

  • Barry Sheerman

    Question

    Reminds the Justice Secretary of historical prison escapes like George Blake's and calls for action to address overcrowding.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the seriousness of the incident, pays tribute to prison officers' work and stresses the importance of addressing staffing issues.

  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    Question

    Along with other residents in south-west London, my constituents are concerned about this incident. I welcome the actions of the police, and I am sure the man will be swiftly detained. The prison officers’ union has been raising staff shortages and inadequate training with me and others for a long time. I hope the Secretary of State will still look into the staffing shortages in Wandsworth and the inadequate training.

    Minister reply

    I thank the hon. Lady for raising those points. She is right about staffing; we need to drive it up. As I indicated, we have done things that make a meaningful difference—I was down at HMP Isis speaking to a band 3 officer about precisely that—such as rolling out body-worn video across the estate. That is an incredibly important tool to dial down potentially volatile situations and, if they are not dialled down, to capture the evidence to ensure that justice is done.

  • Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton

    Question

    Is it correct that Khalife was missing for around an hour before prison staff noticed? If it is, what reassurances can he give that procedures will be tightened up, not just in this particular prison but across the estate?

    Minister reply

    That is one of the very issues that is being looked into urgently.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Can he confirm that the decision to hold this man in a low-security prison, after previous escapes from another prison, is not to do with space or pressure, but rather based an assessment that has turned out to be severely flawed? A review of the procedure used is needed urgently. May I also ask the Minister if the findings of the inquiry that will take place can be shared with other Administrations?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman asks a really probing question and makes an important point, if I may say so. The decision about where he was held was based on an assessment of the circumstances relating to that individual and the alleged offending, not about whether there was space in the category A estate. There was space to put him there, if that had been the right assessment. What we have to get to the bottom of is this: was that exercise properly conducted? That is one of the reviews. To his second point, about whether the findings can be shared, my strong instinct would be that whatever can be shared, should be.

Shadow Comment

Shabana Mahmood

Mahmood expressed concern over the escape of Daniel Khalife, criticising it as a catastrophic failure in prison security. She questioned how such an escape was possible and requested more comprehensive answers from the Justice Secretary about staff numbers on duty and whether proper searches were conducted. Mahmood also questioned why Khalife, suspected of terrorism, was held at a Category B jail rather than high-security facilities like Belmarsh, demanding information on risk assessments before his move to Wandsworth. She urged for immediate detail on the current prison population and an urgent review of all terror suspects in prisons across the country.

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